The capstone project requires the student to plan and execute a substantial research-based project, using their technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to professional practice thus demonstrating the achievement of AQF Level 9.

The Capstone Project aims to provide students with the opportunity to carry out a defined piece of independent research or design work in a setting and in a manner that fosters the development of engineering skills in research or design. These skills include the capacity to define a research or design question, showing how it relates to existing knowledge, identifying the tools needed to investigate the question, carrying out the research or design in a systematic way, analysing the results obtained and presenting the outcomes in a report that is clear, coherent and logically structured. Capstone Project is undertaken across two semesters of enrolment, in two successive Units of Study of 6 credits points each. Capstone Project A covers first steps of thesis research starting with development of research proposal. Capstone Project B covers the second of stage writing up and presenting the research results.

Students are asked to write a thesis based on a research or major design project, which is very often related to some aspect of a staff member's research interests. Some projects will be experimental in nature, others may involve computer-based simulation, feasibility studies or the design, construction and testing of equipment. Direction of thesis work may be determined by the supervisor or be of an original nature, but in either case the student is responsible for the execution of the practical work and the general layout and content of the thesis itself. The final thesis must be the student's individual work, although research is sometimes conducted in the framework of a group project shared with others. Students undertaking research on this basis will need to take care in ensuring the individual quality of their own research work and the final thesis submission. The thesis will be judged on the extent and quality of the student's original work and particularly how critical, perceptive and constructive he or she has been in assessing his/her work and that of others. Students will also be required to present the results of their findings to their peers and supervisors as part of a seminar program.

A thesis at this level will represent a contribution to professional practice or research, however the timeframe available for the thesis also needs to be considered when developing project scope. Indeed, a key aim of the thesis is to specify a research topic that arouses sufficient intellectual curiosity, and presents an appropriate range and diversity of technical and conceptual challenges, while remaining manageable and allowing achievable outcomes within the time and resources available. It is important that the topic be of sufficient scope and complexity to allow a student to learn their craft and demonstrate their research skills. Equally imperative is that the task not be so demanding as to elude completion. Finally, the ability to plan such a project to achieve results within constraints, and also the identification of promising areas and approaches for future research, are key assessment criteria.

Assumed Knowledge:

This is a diverse subject like no other you have tackled before. You will be required to show significant self-motivation and initiative, and bring together all your wealth of knowledge gained over the past years in electrical engineering. I`m sure you`ll enjoy the challenge! Most students find it to be one of the most rewarding experiences of their time at The University. I hope you do too!

Attributes listed here represent the key course goals (see Course Map tab) designated for this unit.
The list below describes how these attributes are developed through practice in the unit.
See Learning Outcomes and Assessment tabs for details of how these attributes are assessed.

Attribute Development Method

Attribute Developed

Developed through the design and problems encountered in the specific project.

Learning outcomes are the key abilities and knowledge that will be assessed in this unit.
They are listed according to the course goal supported by each.
See Assessment Tab for details how each outcome is assessed.

The five assessment components above are done across Capstone Project A and B together. The Proposal and Progress report are submitted as part of the Capstone Project A. The Thesis and Presentation are for delivery during Capstone Project B. The Participation mark (20%) is for work in both parts, Capstone Project A and B. The mark is for project management performance in the project as a whole.

The results achieved in Capstone Project B count for Capstone Project A as well. Since Capstone Project is a year long task, the final results for Capstone Project A are only recorded at the end of the year, on completing Project B. A temporary UC result will be returned for this unit until results for thesis are obtained. Capstone Project A and Capstone Project B will then be given the same result.

Grading:

Grade Type

Description

Standards Based Assessment

Final grades in this unit are awarded at levels of HD for High Distinction, DI (previously D) for Distinction, CR for Credit, PS (previously P) for Pass and FA (previously F) for Fail as defined by University of Sydney Assessment Policy. Details of the Assessment Policy are available on the Policies website at http://sydney.edu.au/policies . Standards for grades in individual assessment tasks and the summative method for obtaining a final mark in the unit will be set out in a marking guide supplied by the unit coordinator.

These goals are selected from Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table which defines overall goals for courses where this unit is primarily offered. See Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table for details of the attributes and levels to be developed in the course as a whole.
Percentage figures alongside each course goal provide a rough indication of their relative weighting in assessment for this unit. Note that not all goals are necessarily part of assessment. Some may be more about practice activity. See Learning outcomes for details of what is assessed in relation to each goal and Assessment for details of how the outcome is assessed. See Attributes for details of practice provided for each goal.